Alon Sariel - mandolinist, lutenist, conductor
Ann Geerts
Alon Sariel is one of todayʼs most versatile plucked-string performers, inspiring critics and audiences alike with his contagious musicianship and flawless technique, which earns him growing recognition as a multi-instrumentalist and a captivating Bach interpreter.
With a record of far over a thousand concerts in more than 35 countries, including performances in Amsterdamʼs Royal Concertgebouw, Hamburgʼs Elbphilharmonie, Brazilʼs Sala São Pauloor Mexicoʻs Palacio de Bellas Artes,he maintains a multifaceted career as a soloist,chamber player and artistic director in diverse productions.
In his acclaimed Plucked Bach recording series for the PENTATONE label, Alon reimagines Bachʼs music through compelling new arrangements for a rich palette of plucked instruments, including various lutes and mandolins, baroque guitar, oud, and bağlama. The latest instalment of the trilogy was selected as an Editorʼs Choice by Gramophone and awarded five-star reviews in Concerti and De Volkskrant, alongside feature portraits on Radio France and The Violin Channel, among many other international accolades.
"This is the kind of moment that can change your day... as pretty and heaven-sent as a soft spring shower... youʼllfind it hard not to be enchanted by Sarielʼs profound artistry... This is Bach-playing for the ages." Lindsey Kemp - Gramophone Magazine
Recent engagements include Alonʻs debut with the Swedish Västerås Sinfonietta alongside conductor Bar Avni and his return to the Thüringen Philharmonie (play/direct). An 8 concert residency at Early Music Vancouver's summer festival, A five-city tour through Poland and a return Japan as special guest of the Schubertiade in Tamba, as well as a concerto recording together with the English Chamber Orchestra under the baton of composer Nimrod Borenstein.
His Plucked Bach recitals were presented at the festivals Romanischer Sommer (WDR Cologne), the Baroque festivals of Copenhagen and Valletta, the Thüringer Bachwochen, Frankfurtʼs Alte Oper, Potsdamʼs Nikolaisaal,St. Magnus and Ryedale Festivals (UK) and the Jerusalem Music Center.
Alon Sariel is a winner of many prizes and awards including the OPUS Klassik. He has recently been appointed Early Music Curator for the Styriarte in Graz and for ʼt Huis te Poort in Schiedam, he serves as a member of the Foundation Committee at Göttingenʼs International Handel Festival and as a goodwill ambassador for the animal welfare organization Pro Animale.
© Juliana Farinha